This Artist Holds Denim in the Ranks of Earth, Water, Air & Fire

“This piece of denim, don’t you think it looks kinda like our planet from outer space?” —Korakrit Arunanondchai

The four classic elements are earth, water, air, and fire, but Bangkok-born Korakrit Arunanondchai adds a fifth to the ranks: denim. Believing the material to be universal—a ubiquitous fabric worn in both the East and West—the artist makes blue-jean paintings that are bleached, ignited, and extinguished; the practice falls in the lineage of Thai performance artist Duangjai Jansaunoi, of “Thailand’s Got Talent” fame. At right, view a film of his (and her) process—and if you visit the exhibition, you can watch from your seat on a giant denim pillow.

“Muen Kuey (It’s Always the Same)” is on view at C L E A R I N G, Belgium through July 20th, 2013.